Berlin Partner GmbH

Top NIH Official to Speak at World Cities Alliance Event at MEDICA

WASHINGTON, DC, October 27, 2005 -- Claire T. Driscoll, Director of the Technology Transfer Office at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be the featured speaker at an event hosted by the World Cities Alliance on Thursday, November 17, at the 37th annual MEDICA trade show and congress in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Ms. Driscoll will speak on "Business Opportunities with the National Institutes of Health." The event begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Berlin Pavilion in Hall 13, Booth 13/C04, and will be followed by a business networking reception.

NHGRI (www.genome.gov) is the focal point in the U.S. for research into the genetics of human disease at NIH. In 2005, NHGRI received approximately $480 million in funding; $100 million went to support the on-campus research programs and the remaining funds were distributed to grantees and contractors.

Ms. Driscoll is responsible for managing the Institute’s patent and licensing portfolio and advises the Institute on technology transfer policy and related matters. In addition, she handles the negotiation and administrative management of the scientific, financial, and legal aspects of many formal research collaboration and other NHGRI-private and –public sector agreements.

About the World Cities AllianceThe World Cities Alliance is a membership association comprised of leading metropolitan economic development agencies. Its mission is to stimulate trade and business investment in its member cities through marketing and promotional activities. Current members include the Greater Washington, D.C. region, Berlin, Paris region and Zurich. For more information, visit www.worldcitiesalliance.com.